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A Glaswegian said he hadn’t bothered to get one as he was being evicted from his property for stabbing someone in the head.

And a viewer in Edinburgh claimed he used his payment card to clean the fish tank. When the fish died, and he no longer had to clean the tank, he forgot to pay for his TV licence.

Pets were a popular excuse. One viewer said their turtle Betty was about to turn 80, so they thought they were exempt because an occupant in the household was older than 75.

Other chancers included the person who “only bought a telly to educate my children”. As education in Scotland is free, he worked out that he did not have to pay for his licence.

TV Licensing Scotland spokesman Jason Hill said: “The students’ animations are highly imaginative but we’re not so impressed with the creative approach to excuses, as watching or recording live TV without a licence is against the law.

Red Bee Media executive creative director Charlie Mawer, who is one of the judges in the film competition, said: “The quality of the entries is very high. Please visit youtube.com/tvlicensing to vote for your favourite.”

Check out the top 10 excuses below:

1. “I don’t have to pay as I’m the King of Scotland.”

2. “I was abducted by aliens. As the Government don’t believe me, I’m refusing to pay my bills.”

3. “I have no television. It’s a microwave.”

4. “I only use the TV at night. I put the goldfish bowl in front of it at night. It helps the fish get to sleep.”

5. “The TV is only on for my parrot, Captain Jack Sparrow, who is learning the theme tune to Bargain Hunt.”

6. “I sent my man to the Co-op two months ago and he got done for shoplifting. I have not seen him since. He gets out next month, so I can pay it then.”

7. “I have a black-and-white licence. I only turn the colour on when my granddaughter comes and puts the music channels on.”

8. “Our pet turtle Betty turns 80 this December – do we get her free TV licence?”

9. “My cat is in labour, so I don’t have time to talk to you.”

10. “I don’t need a licence because I’m getting evicted for stabbing a guy in the head.”